Carter-Williams leads 76ers past Celtics, 113-108

Philadelphia 76ers' Michael Carter-Williams (1) blocks a shots from Boston Celtics' Rajon Rondo during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, April 14, 2014, in Philadelphia. The 76ers won 113-108. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Philadelphia 76ers' Tony Wroten (8) drives to the basket past Boston Celtics' Phil Pressey during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, April 14, 2014, in Philadelphia. The 76ers won 113-108. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Philadelphia 76ers' Michael Carter-Williams (1) drives to the basket past Boston Celtics' Joel Anthony (50) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, April 14, 2014, in Philadelphia. The 76ers won 113-108. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Boston Celtics' Rajon Rondo takes an open jump shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, April 14, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Philadelphia 76ers' Tony Wroten (8) scores on a dunks over Boston Celtics' Chris Babb during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, April 14, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Boston Celtics' Kelly Olynyk (41) takes a shot while Philadelphia 76ers' Brandon Davies (20) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, April 14, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Boston Celtics' Jeff Green (8) scores on a dunks while Phil Pressey watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, April 14, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Chris Johnson appeared to hit the game-tying 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds remaining but stepped out of bounds before attempting the desperation shot. James Anderson made two free throws a half-second later to seal Philadelphia’s win.

After missing the past two games with a strained left shin, Rondo returned to action and dominated the game’s first five minutes before Thaddeus Young’s elbow to the head forced him to briefly leave the game.

Rondo had five assists in the first 5:08 as Boston took an early 16-7 lead.

But the minute the Celtics’ floor general left the game, the Sixers took over and outscored the Celtics 60-34 the rest of the half.

Casper Ware made a long 3-pointer to cap a 22-9 run that put Philadelphia up by four late in the first quarter. Rondo, who returned late in the first quarter, followed suit by driving for a layup and drawing a foul. He then rebounded his own miss at the line and put the ball right back up for another two to erase the lead in 10 seconds.

The 76ers turned it on again in the second quarter, this time going on a 28-8 run to build a 19-point lead highlighted by Young’s steal and ensuing cross-court pass to Wroten for an uncontested slam dunk.

Green led all players at the half with 14 points, but Carter-Williams paced Philadelphia with 12 points and eight assists as the 76ers took a 67-50 lead at the break.

NOTES

∎ The Sixers scored 46 of 67 first-half points in the paint to the Celtics’ 18.

∎ The Celtics are the only team the 76ers have beaten more than once this season. The Sixers could make it two with a win in Miami in their season finale on Wednesday.